Winterising diesel fuel tank

[Refueler]

So for a boat left over winter and unused that water which might be released in frosty weather would be reabsorbed as the weather warms in spring?

Simple answer ? Not usually.

 

[Momac]

Simple answer ? Not usually.

In that case is it best to have as little fuel as possible in the tank over a winter period with little or no use so as to minimise the amount of water that could drop out of the fuel?

 

[vyv_cox]

In that case is it best to have as little fuel as possible in the tank over a winter period with little or no use so as to minimise the amount of water that could drop out of the fuel?

From memory the maximum allowable water content in fuels is 0.2%, which would be in suspension. Free water in your fuel tank is far more likely to enter via a leaking filler cap or contamination in the bunker than dropping out of on-specification diesel.

 

[Momac]

From memory the maximum allowable water content in fuels is 0.2%, which would be in suspension. Free water in your fuel tank is far more likely to enter via a leaking filler cap or contamination in the bunker than dropping out of on-specification diesel.

0.2% . That a lot
So 0.6Litres in a 300 litre tank.
I hope I don't have any free water but , if I understand correctly , cold weather could cause the water in suspension to drop out but that water would not be re-absorbed in warmer weather.

Maybe the amount that would drop out in cold weather would be a fraction of the water in suspension?

 

[Freebee]

water that drops out of suspension does not usually get re entrained because its sinks to the bottom of the tank and when the fuel has reached the temperature that water could be redisolved there is unlikely to be any or enough mixing currents within the tank that will mix it in.

 

[vyv_cox]

water that drops out of suspension does not usually get re entrained because its sinks to the bottom of the tank and when the fuel has reached the temperature that water could be redisolved there is unlikely to be any or enough mixing currents within the tank that will mix it in.

Plenty of sloshing about in my boat?

 

[vyv_cox]

0.2% . That a lot
So 0.6Litres in a 300 litre tank.
I hope I don't have any free water but , if I understand correctly , cold weather could cause the water in suspension to drop out but that water would not be re-absorbed in warmer weather.

Maybe the amount that would drop out in cold weather would be a fraction of the water in suspension?

My memory may be faulty! EN590 quotes 200 ppm.

 

[Momac]

My memory may be faulty! EN590 quotes 200 ppm.

Okay . Thank you
I make that 0.06L per 300 litres .
Not worried about that.

 

[Refueler]

My memory may be faulty! EN590 quotes 200 ppm.

EN590 is max 200ppm ... but you need to then check which sub division of EN590 you are concerned with ....